In 2026, logistics in the Southern Cone —particularly in economies highly dependent on imports and exports such as Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay— operates under a scenario of structural volatility rather than isolated disruptions.
This is because instability in global routes, geopolitical tensions, and international regulatory changes are quickly transmitted to the region, impacting transit times, service reliability, and logistics costs, as Maersk highlights in its regional analysis.
This condition is amplified by dependence on foreign trade, long distances to major consumer and supply markets, and limitations in port and land infrastructure.
Added to this are supply chain reconfiguration processes, with greater diversification of origins, route adjustments, and sustained growth in e-commerce, which demands greater operational agility and end-to-end visibility.
In this context, logistics ceases to be a tactical component and becomes a strategic variable in commercial decision-making. Service reliability, more than mere capacity availability or lower cost, consolidates itself as a critical factor for operational continuity and compliance with commercial commitments throughout 2026.
Therefore, it becomes key to provide some recommended guidelines for clients in their purchase and sales negotiations:
• Incorporate volatility into contracts: consider adjustment clauses for freight variations, surcharges, and transit times.
• Negotiate Incoterms with a logistics focus: evaluate not only product price, but also control over transport and associated risks.
• Diversify origins and routes: reduce dependence on a single supplier, port, or logistics corridor.
• Plan inventories with greater flexibility: especially for critical or slow-replenishment inputs.
• Prioritize reliability over rates: a more stable transit often proves more profitable than lower cost with high risk of delays.
